Frame



,1937. T. E. M. WHEAT 2,090,990

FRAME a Filed Sept. 5, 1955 INVEN TOR.

A TTORN E Y6.

Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRAME Application September 3, 1935, Serial No. 38,902

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a frame.

More particularly the invention has to do with the lateral bracing for transversely spaced longitudinally extending side sills of a frame structure 5 for motor vehicles.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved frame structure having a maximum rigidity and resistance to torsional deflection and at the same time efiecting a substantial reduction 10 in weight over conventional structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively light weight, rigid frame structure having diagonally arranged bracing members united at substantially a common point in the 15 vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the frame whereby eccentric loading is avoided during the taking up of torsional stresses developed in the frame.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a frame structure comprising diagonally arranged bracing members an improved center joint connecting the bracing members in substantially a one point vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the structure, and to provide in such a joint an opening accommodating a rotatable shaft; to provide a tunnel for such a shaft; and to provide I a joint which will permit of a substantial reduction in the size of the bracing structure.

A- still further object of the invention is to provide improvements in a motor vehicle frame wherein the main side sills are connected for lateral bracing, preferably by an X-type structure. My invention provides a novel X-brace structure wherein the component leg members are 35 of relatively light weight and low cost; at the same time the X-brace structure provides for an intersection of the component legs thereof approximately at a single point to avoid eccentric loading, the region of this common point accom- 40=modating the passage and usual movements of the vehicle propeller shaft.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying 45' drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a frame structure embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view showing the joint in assembled position uniting 507 the free ends of the bracing members.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

I Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective showing the com- 551'ponent parts of the joint prior to assembled and as at 32.

further illustrating the relative positions of the converging end portions of the diagonal bracing members.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to Fig. 1, the frame structure comprises transversely 5 spaced longitudinally extending side rails It which converge toward each other as they extend forwardly and end portions being connected by a transverse member [2. The rearwardly extending portion of the rails is connected by longitudinally spaced cross members M and I6 arranged in pairs.

-The rails in are connected by an X-bracing structure Apositioned intermediate the ends and substantially at the longitudinal center thereof. The structure A comprises diagonally extending legs I8, 20, 22 and 24, each of the legs l8 and 22 having its outer end attached to a side rail It while each of the legs and 22has its outer end fixed to the other of the rails Ill. The opposite or end cut on a slant, the upper flange terminating short of its-companion flange, as shown in Fig. 5.

A pairof longitudinally spaced transverse members 26 connect the legs 22 and 24 at a point near the outer ends thereof and provide added rigidity for resistance to torsional stresses. My invention has to do particularly with the provision of an improved center joint uniting the converging ends of the legs I8, 20, 22 and 24.

The center joint comprises two V-shaped front and rear plates 28 and 30 respectively, each having the mid-section of the vertex thereof cut away These plates are formed from a flat blank, the oval shaped portion 32 being preferably cut away prior to the V-shaping operation.v

Referring to Fig. 5 wherein the joint parts are shown in non-assembled position, it will be noted that the plates 28 and .iflhave an increased height adjacent their vertices. This increase in height permits of the cutting away of a portion, as at 32,

of sufficient dimension to provide the required opening to accommodate a rotatable shaft, as will more fully appear hereafter.

When the component parts of the joint are assembled the vertices of the plates 28 and 30 are placed in abutting relationship and secured arched cover plate 34 having substantially flat longitudinal edges is secured to the plates 28 and 30 by welding or otherwise, the arch of the plate accommodating the increased height of the plates 28 and 38 adjacent their vertices. The rearwardly disposed end of the plate 34 has a semi-cylindrical cut away portion 36 and the adjacent end portions 38 thus formed diverge outwardly beyond the main body of the plate and overlie a respective arm of the rear plate 30 and are suitably secured thereto, as by welding.

In connecting the legs I8, 20, 22 and 24 of the X-oracing structure by means of the joint, a respective arm of one of the V-shaped plates 28 and 30 is placed in abutting relationship with the web of a respective leg of the bracing structure and secured thereto, preferably by welding. When the respective parts are so positioned the upper flange of the legs 18, 20, 22 and 24 terminates at 40, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the lower flange continuing approximately to the vertical center of the joint. The cut away portions 32 of the plates 28 and 30 provide an opening accommodating a propeller shaft 42 of the vehicle, such shaft being slightly displaced from the longitudinal center of the frame. By cutting the bracing members on a slant, as indicated, there is no interference with the shaft although the lower flange of these members extends to the vertical center of the joint.

When the joint has been assembled, as indicated in Fig. 2, portions of the cover plate 34 rest upon the upper flange of a respective leg of the X-bracing and may be suitably secured thereto, as by welding, at the points indicated by the numeral 44. A transversely extending bottom plate 46 is secured to the lower, forwardly extending flange of the bracing legs.

The construction and arrangement of the bracing structure makes possible the use of welding processes throughout and while such process is generally illustrated, it will be understood that other suitable methods and means may be utilized in lieu thereof.

Use of a bracing structure of the character described is particularly advantageous in that the height of the joint plates permits an opening in the joint of suitable dimensions to accommodate the propeller shaft and the usual normal movements thereof, while the size of the diagonal bracing legs is maintained at the minimum required for bracing strength only.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped structure connecting said sills comprising diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills andtheir inner ends converging toward a central point, and a center joint uniting said converging ends comprising members attached to said legs and united at substantially a common point approximately in the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of said frame, said joint having a longitudinally extending opening for accommodating a vehicle propeller shaft.

2. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped bracing structure connecting said sills comprising diagonally disposed legs mon point approximately in the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of said frame, said joint having a tunnel for accommodating a vehicle propeller shaft.

3. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped bracing structure connecting said sills comprising diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills and their inner ends converging toward a central point, and a center joint uniting said converging legs, said joint comprising substantially V-shaped members having arms secured to a respective leg and having their vertices united at substantially a. common point approximately in the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of said frame, said V-shaped members including an arched medial portion having an opening therein for accommodating a vehicle propeller shaft.

4. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped bracing structure connectin said sills comprising diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills and their inner ends converging toward a central point, and a center joint uniting said converging ends comprising substantially V- shaped members attached to said legs and having their vertices united at substantially a common point approximately in the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of said frame, said members and the converging ends of said legs having portions thereof out away to form a longitudinally extending opening for accommodating a vehicle driving propeller shaft.

5. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped structure connecting said sills comprising four channel shaped diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills and their inner ends conver ing toward a central point, said converging ends having one flange thereof extending lengthwise of said legs beyond the companion flange, and a center joint uniting said converging ends comprising arms secured to a respective leg, said joint having a portion thereof cut away providing an opening accommodating a rotatable shaft.

6. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped structure connecting said sills comprising four channel shaped diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills and their inner ends converging toward a central point, said converging ends having one flange thereof extending lengthwise of said legs beyond the companion flange, a center joint uniting said converging ends comprising arms secured to a respective leg, said joint having a portion thereof cut away providing an opening accommodating a rotatable shaft, and a cover plate for said arms having portions secured to a flange of each leg.

'7. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped structure connecting said sills comprising four channel shaped diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills and their inner ends converging toward a central point, said converging ends having one flange thereof extending lengthwise of said legs beyond the companion flange, a center joint uniting said converging ends comprising arms secured to a respective leg, said joint having a portion thereof cut away providing an opening accommodating a rotatable shaft, a cover plate for said arms having portions secured to a flange of each leg, and a bottom plate secured to the extended flanges of said channel shaped legs.

8. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped structure connecting said sills comprising four channel shaped diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills and their inner ends converging toward a central point, and a center joint for uniting said converging ends comprising a pair of substantially V-shaped members having arms secured to a respective leg and having their 10 vertices united at substantially a common point approximately in the vertical longitudinal midplane of said frame, said legs having one flange thereof extending lengthwise of said legs beyond a companion flange approximately to the vertical 5 center of said joint, a portion of said legs adja- 20 stantially X-shaped. structure connecting said sills comprising four channel-shaped diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills and their inner ends converging toward a central point, said converging ends having one flange thereof extending lengthwise of said legs beyond the companion flange, and means for uniting said converging ends comprising a cover plate secured to said companion flanges and a bottom plate secured to said extended flanges.

10. In a vehicle frame having side sills, a substantially X-shaped structure connecting said sills comprising four channel-shaped diagonally disposed legs having their outer ends attached to the respective side sills and their inner ends converging toward a central point, said converging ends having one flange thereof extending lengthwise of said legs beyond the companion flange and terminating approximately in the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of said frame, means for uniting said extended flanges, and a reinforcing plate secured to said companion flanges.

THOMAS E. M. WHEAT. 

